Rotary nail filing apparatus for animals

ABSTRACT

A rotary nail filing apparatus for animals is described that includes a shroud or housing, an opening in the shroud that is suitable sized and shaped to allow an end portion of an animal&#39;s nail to be put through the opening, and a suitably shaped and oriented rotary grinder that is contained within the shroud grinding at least a portion of an animal&#39;s nail when put through the opening, where at least a portion of the nail particles that are grinded away by the rotary grinder are contained in a portion of the shroud. In some embodiments, the rotary grinder position/orientation and/or its surface are adjustable and/or replaceable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pet grooming products. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a method to safely trim ananimal's nails without damaging the vein inside the nail, known as the“quick”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People who groom dogs and other clawed animals generally use a pair ofscissors or a guillotine style nail clipper to trim animal claws.Scissors and animal nail clippers can be dangerous and painful to theanimal if tie user is not careful with the amount of claw removed. Inevery animal claw, there is a vein called the “quick” that lies withinthe nail bed. This vascular structure is not easily visible if thepigmentation of the nail is dark, as is the case in most dogs. The“quick” has very sensitive nerve endings and is prone to bleed profuselywhen cut. Cutting the “quick” will cause injury and negativeconditioning for the animal and will make the future task of cutting theanimal's nails more difficult.

Scissors and anvil style clippers pose a problem when clipping animalnails because the nail can often be crushed or splintered by aninaccurate angle of cut or dull clipper blades. The clipper also has atendency to make the nail jagged and rough when cut. The animal nail ismade of many layers and can be crushed by an inaccurate cutting angle, adulled blade, or a loose hinge on the clipper.

FIG. 1 illustrates, by way of example, a “prior art” method of trimminga dog's nails using a rotary filing device 60. This drawing shows one ofthe few operational positions 62 that an animal handler can take whenusing the current style of rotary animal nail filing device. As FIG. 1illustrates, the handler has little control over animal movement whenthe two are facing each other. The prior art illustrates anotherproblem, there is only one angle of operation between the handler andthe animal. This angle of operation does not allow control of the animaland may result in an injured nail or paw.

Some dog groomers have tried to use generic rotary tools, such as aDremel tool, to grind an animal's nail to the desired length. However,high-speed rotary tools have a number of disadvantages when compared tothe present invention. By way of example, there is no protective guardto keep the animal from encountering the free spinning grinding wheel.If a rotary tool with an exposed wheel is used to grind the nail of alonghaired dog, the animal's hair can get wound up in the tool, which isa major problem when working with wiggling dogs.

Other issues must be addressed if a rotary tool is to be used to fileanimal nails. If the direction of the grinding wheel spin is notconsidered when engaging the nail, the animal's claw will awkwardly skipand bump over the grinding wheel. This can increase fear and discomfortin the animal and adds a significant learning curve when training ananimal to be accustomed to the tool.

Another problem with rotary tools is that the nail can fragment andthrow nail debris outwardly. This will cause an unwanted mess, and mayeven lead to a possible eye injury. Still another problem with exposedgrinding wheels is that the animal can see the high-speed rotatingobject and may become fearful and anxious. Problems such as these forcemany dog owners to have professional groomers perform this task at greatexpense.

Some conventional approaches attempt to change the style of the rotarytools so they can be used to file an animal's nails. However, theseattempts fall short because they still have open face grinding wheels.This poses a problem with dogs because the dog's toes are webbed, makingaccidental contact on adjacent toes with the spinning wheel a likely'situation. Another disadvantage to rotary filing tools is that atrigger must be depressed manually to operate the device. This gives theoperator only one free working hand to manipulate the animal. A bettersolution is to mount the rotary filing tool on a horizontal or verticalSurface so the operator can have both hands flee to handle the animal.

Some disadvantages of Current rotary filing tools include that they haveno way to regulate the correct angle of operation, of 50 to 130 degrees,from the nail to the grinding wheel respectively. This angle is oftenimportant to obtain a property shaped nail in many applications. Anotherdisadvantage is that no attempt is made to visually obscure the spinningrotary bit and reduce animal anxiety. Yet another disadvantage is thatprior art devices do not have interchangeable housings for differentnail sizes and multiple grades of grinding wheels. The best rotaryfiling tool should have additional features that allow grinding ofdifferent types and sizes of animal nails and that can create differentfinishes on the nail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a handler filing a dog's nails using a prior artrotary filing device;

FIG. 2 illustrates, by way of example, a side perspective view of rotarynail file tool and exemplary use thereof, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of an exemplary contact opening in anexemplary housing, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of an exemplary manner in which thecontact opening guides the animal nail to a grinding wheel;

FIGS. 4 a, b, and c illustrate a top view of various exemplaryinterchangeable housings and a side cut-away view of use thereof (at thetop of the figure), in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of exemplary housings with differentsized contact points, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of various exemplary types of rotarygrinding wheels, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6 a, b, and c illustrate three different exemplary methods ofhandling an animal while using an embodiment of the present embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates, by way of example, a rear perspective view of thehousing offset with the housing separated from the rotary tool, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates some exemplary packaging embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary rotary nailfiling apparatus with an adjustable housing, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary rotary nailfiling apparatus with an adjustable housing, in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary rotary nailfiling apparatus with an adjustable housing, in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary adjustableopening, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, a variety of devices for the filing of animalnails are described.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a rotary nail filingapparatus for animals is described that includes a shroud or housing, anopening in the shroud that is suitable sized and shaped to allow an endportion of an animal's nail to be put through the opening, and asuitably shaped and oriented rotary grinder that is contained within theshroud grinding at least a portion of animal's nail when put through theopening, where at least a portion of the nail particles that are grindedaway by the rotary grinder are contained in a portion of the shroud. Insome embodiments, the rotary grinder position/orientation and/or itssurface are adjustable and/or replaceable.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a rotary nail filingapparatus for animals is provided that includes means for housinginternal components of the rotary nail filing apparatus, means forenabling an end portion of an animal's nail to be enter into the housingmeans, means for grinding at least a portion of an animal's nail whenentered into the housing means, and means for containing at least aportion of the nail particles that are grinded away by the nail grindingmeans. In some embodiments, the rotary nail filing apparatus furtherincludes means for adjusting the grinding distance, angle, and/orgrinding surface texture of the nail grinding means with respect to ananimal's nail that is entered into the housing means. In otherembodiments of the present invention, the rotary nail fling apparatusfurther includes means for guiding an end portion of an animal's nail tocooperate more effectively with the housing nail entering means.

Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention willbecome more apparent and be more readily understood from the followingdetailed description, which should be read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a method that allowsfor incremental filing of an animal's claw or nail that does not pinchor sever the sensitive nerves that are in the nail. The procedure ispainless because the actual filing process mimics nature. When the nailis filed, the result is a smooths rounded finish rather than a jaggedand splintered edge. The present invention uses a rotary grinding wheelthat does not need to he replaced often like clippers with blades thatdull over time. The ability to interchange rotary tools that havedifferent capabilities is a major advantage of the present invention.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a rotary toolhousing that protects the animal from abrasion and from catching longhair in the rotating grinding wheel. In one embodiment the tool housinghas an opening that directs the nail at the surface to the correct angleand position with respect to the filing surface. The tool housingembodiment catches and accumulates filed nail debris and makes theprocedure safer and convenient to clean. The tool housing embodimentalso protects adjacent toes on the animal and alleviates anxiety andfear in the animal by limiting the view of the rotating grinding wheel.Interchangeable housings can be designed for filing different sizednails and for different types of filing applications.

Another aspect of the present invention is that rotary filing toolembodiments are configurable to be clamped to a horizontal or verticalsurface to allow the groomer more flexibility to handle the animal indifferent positions during the filing process. Such embodiments of thepresent invention enable the user to have both hands flee and allows thehandler to occupy many different positions with respect to the animal tobe groomed. The present invention makes the groomers' job easier, moreefficient and is cost effective when used at home.

FIG. 2 illustrates, by way of example, an exemplary rotary tool 20 andan exemplary method that an animal handler 2 can use when trimming ananimal's nails. Animal handler 2 can position the claw at theappropriate angle and manipulate the animal's digit correctly. A housing6 protects the animal's adjacent toes from abrasion, which housing isoften helpful to protect the animal's toes as they usually have a web 4and they tend to move while filing nails. Housing 6 also hides the viewof the spinning rotary bit 12 and helps to keep the animal from becominganxious. Housing 6 also protects longhaired animals from accidentallygetting their hair caught in the grinding wheel. Housing 6 collectsdebris from filed nail particles and can be removed for cleaning byunscrewing housing 6 from rotary tool 20. Housing 6 may be connected torotary tool 20 is by any suitable means such as, without limitation, theuse of threads 16 as shown in the present example. By way of example,and not limitation, housing 6 could be connected to the rotary tool by asnap or clipping mechanism according to known means. The ability toseparate the housing from the rotary tool allows relatively easyexchange of different housings to accommodate various animal nail sizes.Removal of housing 6 also permits the interchange of assorted grades ofcommercially available rotary bits that can range from smooth forbuffing to very course for grinding.

In the present embodiment, there is an offset member 23 interposedbetween rotary tool 20 and housing 6 to appropriately align rotary bit12 with housing 6. Offset member 23 assures that the relative distancebetween the animal's nail and rotary bit 12 at a contact point 30 isalways the same. For applications that do not require this consistentoffset distance feature, alternate embodiments may exclude offset member23.

An inner portion 14 of housing 6 is preferably designed with an adequatespacing that permits rotary bit 12 enough clearance to spin freely in aconstant direction (e.g., arrow 10) and allow room for nail debris 8 tobe collected at the bottom of housing 6.

Rotary tool 20 and con joined housing 6 may be mounted to a horizontalor vertical surface by any suitable means, including, withoutlimitations a clamping device 22. Mounting rotary tool 20 allows bothhands of the operator to be free to hold and position the animal.Clamping device 22 allows the operator many useful angles of operation.For example, rotary tool 20 can pivot in a 180-degree circular directionby rotating bracket 24 to the desired position and then tighteninglocking mechanism 34. Other applications that do not require rotatablemounting means may, in alternate embodiments, implement rigid mountingmeans instead. The present device may configured to accommodate adesired range of table thickness by way of a screw clamp 26, forexample, or other suitable means known to those skilled in the art. Byway of further example, without limitation, screw clamp 26 can beinterchanged with a vacuum base 28 for working on tables or othersuitable surfaces. Vacuum base 28 has a position lock mechanism 34 and arotating bracket 24 that permits 180-degree positioning. The vacuum basemay, in some alternate embodiments, be permanently fixed to a surface byknown means, for example, screws 36. Depending upon the needs of theparticular application the clamping apparatus could be fixed in amultiplicity of known ways. For example, without limitation, theclamping apparatus could be fixed on the tool itself making a singularunit in various practical or aesthetic variations; e.g., a tool similarin appearance to a bench grinder. In applications requiring securing thepresent apparatus to a surface, conventional means including, withoutlimitation, clamping, suction, gluing, and screw/bolting arecontemplated.

FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary contact opening in an exemplaryhousing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention andFIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary) manner in which the contact openingguides the animal nail to a grinding wheel. Shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B area number of features in housing 6 that improve efficiency when filing ananimal's nail. By way of example, nail guide opening 46 in housing 6 isdesigned with a triangular shape to assist in positioning nail 18 and tobest fit the natural shape of the nail. As rotary bit 12 spins indirection 10, the directional force pulls nail 18 to the apex of tietriangle into a holding point 38. The holding point 38 is angled atsuitable angle (e.g., 75 degrees) to hold the nail in place withoutsubstantial slippage. The side opposite the triangle apex at holdingpoint 38 is designed with a semi-circle edge 44 and a thin wall forvisibility of a contact point 30. The thin semi-circle edge 44 allowsthe operator to see where nail 18 meets rotary bit 12. Nail 18 can bepositioned at a suitable angle 48 (e.g., between 50 and 130 degrees inmany applications), with respect to the horizontal Surface of rotary bit12, to obtain the desired shape of nail 18. A multiplicity of alternateconfigurations of the embodiment shown are contemplated depending uponthe needs of the particular application. For example, possibly forfurther safety and exactness, in some embodiments of the presentinvention, the housing is made of a clear plastic to facilitate viewingof the nail engaging the contact point. In some embodiments of thepresent invention, the housing is configured with a paw placement bay.In other embodiments of the present invention, the grinding bit isconfigured to be moved mechanically and adjusted incrementally (e.g., bycm or mm) inside the housing to achieve a specific relationship betweenthe housing and the bit (useful, for example, for determining the lengthof enamel to remove). In yet other embodiments of the present invention,the nail guide opening is constructed to be snapped or slid onto apermanent housing, possibly for ease in choosing a suitable size orstyle. In still other embodiments of the present inventions acauterizing devise is included, located beneath the housing, forexample. In some embodiments of the present invention, the angle of thegrinding bit in relation to the rotary motor is made adjustable to anyoptimal or preferred angle. Embodiments of the present invention mayfurther be configured with housings of adjustable shape; or an exactmeasuring system (e.g., cm or mm) and be made of a material of anysuitable density grade of plastic or suitable metal, including, withoutlimitation, lightweight aluminum. Those skilled in the art will readilyrecognize, in light of the present teachings, yet other configurationsof the embodiment shown depending upon the needs of the particularapplication. For example, without limitation, in some application amotorized rotary grinder may not be desired, and a conventional manuallypowered rotary grinder may be used instead; e.g., without limitationsthe handle could be configured with a squeezable trigger or lever thatis pumped by the user to power the rotation of the rotary grinder.

Moreover, it is contemplated that the nail guide opening on the housingcould be modified in a wide variety of suitable ways to improvefunctionality of the filing process. By way of example; withoutlimitation, the opening on the housing may be configured for the “freeform” applications, in which the opening is can be 1, suitably sized orshaped (e.g., including, without limitation, oval and triangular shapes)in various ways to best accommodate the nail based on the anatomicalshape of the nail and/or 2, to facilitate the user in the ease andefficiency of user operation. Similarly, in some embodiments, the“holding point” of the present device is suitable shaped with usefulangles and depth to assist in functionality of fixing the nail in placewhile filing. Some embodiments of the present invention, include one ormore nail-guide openings, which, for example, without limitation, couldbe attach (e.g. using a quick snap) to the housing without requiringhousing removal.

FIGS. 4 a, b, and c illustrate a top view of various exemplaryinterchangeable housings and a side cut-away view of use thereof (at thetop of the figure), in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The exemplary interchangeable housings 6 shown preferablyhave the same connective method with the rotary tool 20 but allowdifferent points of contact between the nail 18 and rotary bit 12. Inthe present embodiment, multiple sizes of interchangeable housing 6 withdifferent nail guide openings 46 ensure that the operator can see thesensitive nerve area in nail 18. By way of example, the operator canchoose the appropriate size of housing 6 by removing housing 6 fromrotary tool 20 and testing the depth that the animals nail 18 intrudesthrough nail guide opening 46. The operator can determine the amount ofunwanted nail enamel 35 that will be removed from nail 18 by lookingthrough housing 6. This observation assures the operator that only apredetermined length of nail enamel 35 will be removed from nail 18.Nail guide opening 46 has a beveled edge 33 to assist in positioning andmeasuring the desired length of the nail.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of exemplary housings with differentsized contact points, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in the figure, alternate types of housings 6 arepossible that have different sizes of nail guide openings 46 toaccommodate different sizes of animal nails for “free form” procedure.The constant direction 10 of rotary bit 12 forces nail 18 into the apexof nail guide opening 46 and provides correct alignment with rotary bit12.

FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of various exemplary types of rotarygrinding wheels, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in the figure, different grades of rotary bits 12may vary, for example, from very course to buff grade. Alternatehousings 6 and rotary bits 12 allow for easy interchangeability of partsto accommodate different animals and provide greater flexibility for theanimal handler.

In alternate embodiments, the rotary grinding bits could be made to havedifferent shapes to accommodate different shape nails or to producedifferent results. They could be made of different materials that reducefunction, are relatively poor heat conductors, and/or are more durableto extend the life of the bit. In other embodiments, the bit itselfcould be shaped differently for various shaping advancements andperceived effectiveness. For example, without limitation, the bit couldbe replaced with a multipurpose device that may include a tool tocauterize injured nails.

FIG. 6 a, b, and c illustrate three different exemplary methods ofhandling an animal while using an embodiment of the present embodiment.As shown in the figures a hand-held version of rotary tool 20 is used bythe handler under various postures to control the animal during the nailfiling procedure. FIG. 6A demonstrates one controlling method 56 wherethe handler stands behind the animal and uses one hand to hold rotarytool 20 and the other hand to hold the animal's paw. FIG. 6B illustratesanother advanced control method 54 of holding an animal while usingrotary tool 20 secured to a bench or flat surface with clamping device22. Fig,. 6C illustrates yet another method of animal control 58 wherethe animal's eyes are covered to protect the animal from becominganxious. The hand-held option allows the trainer to engage the animal ina variety of ways and gives the handler better control while performingthe nail filing procedure.

FIG. 7 illustrates, by way of example, a rear perspective view of thehousing offset with the housing separated from the rotary tool, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As mentionedabove, housing 6 with offset member 23 allows proper spacing so rotarybit 12 remains in a correct relationship with the animal's nail atcontact point 30. Conjunction point 32 is the insertion point for rotarybit 12. Housing 6 connects to rotary tool 20 by way of threads 16.

Alternate embodiments of the present invention are contemplated wherethe housing has different physical shapes to accept, for example andwithout limitation, a bit that rotates at different angles thanpreviously described or that has a different shaped bit such as, withoutlimitation, a horizontally rotating bit that is flat. Yet other,alternate embodiments are contemplated that have restraining devicesincorporated into the housing or separate from the housing that assistthe handler in holding the animal's paw or arm during the filingprocess. In yet other embodiments, the means in which the housing isattached to the rotary tool could be designed with different couplingmethods such as a snap on, clip on or locking device that would simplifythe act of changing housings. It is further contemplated that theconnection means between the housing and the rotary tool could also bemade with a multiplicity of alternative shapes suitable to accommodatefuture advancements in functionality.

FIG. 8 illustrates some exemplary packaging embodiments of the presentinvention. In the Figure, two exemplary styles of rotary tool 20 withenhanced functionality are shown. Rotary tool 20 may be powered byAlternating Current (AC) 70 or Direct Current (DC) 72. Battery operationgives rotary tool 20 manly portable advantages including the ability tobe used indoors or outdoors. Options, such as a variable transformerwith an incremental adjustment 64 or a gradual adjustment 66 can beadded to increase or decrease the speed of rotary bit 12. An on/offswitch 68 may be provided and configured as needed. The interchangeablerotary tool may also be equipped with a sensor 74 that may senserigidity or flexibility of nail 18 or sensor 74 may sense the presenceof blood and automatically turn off the tool.

It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention mayalso be shaped into any suitable form for the particular application; byway of example, and not limitation, to achieve ergonomic comfort,enhanced functionality or more pleasing aesthetics. As more advancedsensors come available, it is contemplated that the capabilities of therotary tool could be enhanced with newer technology such as, withoutlimitation, sensors that help judge the length of enamel removed orhemoglobin sensors to signal presence of blood. The present inventioncould be modified to have its own mounting device so it could beattached directly to a fixed Surface. It could also have a restrainingdevice coupled to the tool that holds the animal during the filingprocess. In alternate embodiments, the rotary tool could be designedwithout a rotary bit but instead using a different method of nail filingsuch as a sanding belt or angle grinder with a protective guard. In yetother embodiments, the angle of the grinding wheel and position of therotary housing could he be made adjustable so that the bit could rotatehorizontally or at graduated angles with respect to the handle of thetool.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary rotary nailfiling apparatus with an adjustable housing, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. Shown in the Figure is an exemplaryadjustable housing 9 that moves the contact point 30 over the grindingstone 53 that has different grades of grit ranging from course to buffon the same stone. This is accomplished by having a connective piece 3that con joins the housing 9 to the rotary tool 20. The connective piecemay have “male” a locking or snapping devise II that has depress ableknobs. The housing 9 slides laterally over the connection piece 13 untilthe desired position “female” is chosen on the housing 9. The contactpoint 30 would then be positioned over the desired grade on grinding bit53 for the user. One aspect of the present design is that it improvesuser convenience and nail filing performance. In applications where thegrinding bit has only one surface grind grade, this axial adjustabilitymay be useful to enable the user to adjust the bit to use a less wornportion of the bit's grinding surface. It should be appreciated that theconnection piece and its relationship to the housing is not limited tothis arrangement. For example, without limitations it could snap, screwor have any suitable mechanical variation. The housings 9 contact pointmay have both free form 30 and predetermined length 7 contact points.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary rotary nailfiling apparatus with an adjustable housing, in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention. Shown in the Figure isan arrangement in which the flat grinding wheels 55 relationship to thehousing 5 is vertical. The housing is provided with a removable tray 17via screwing or snapping that has variable size contact points 3 overthe vertically powered grinding wheel 55. The housing 5 is connected 32to the rotary tool 20 by any suitable means, such as, withoutlimitations snapping, screwing, or mechanical connective function. Thedevise shown works similar to the devices shown in prior Figures byplacing the animals nail in the correct size contact point and so forth.The tray which has the contact points 17 may have both free form 30 andpredetermined length 7 contact points.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary rotary nailfiling apparatus with an adjustable housing, in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention. Shown in the Figure isa housing 3 that mechanically revolves around the grinding bit 12 or 53(not shown, see FIG. 9) to quickly find the appropriate contact point30. Some embodiments may also combine the sliding mechanics of priorembodiment for convenient choice of course, medium to buff.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary adjustableopening, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention. A contact opening 30 is configure to enable the user toadjust the size of to an exact value on a housing 6. An adjustable leaf33 is configured to slide up and down on tracks 47 until desiredposition is chosen. Leaf 33 is then fixed in place by the locking nuts35, which may use screws or any fastening devise.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a rotary nailfile for animals according to the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by wayof illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intendedto limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The inventionis thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

1. A rotary nail filing apparatus for animals, the apparatus comprising:a shroud; an opening in said shroud, said opening suitable sized andshaped to allow an end portion of an animal's nail to be put throughsaid opening, said opening comprising a holding point for said animal'snail; and a rotary grinder contained within said shroud, said rotarygrinder and shroud configured such that a rotational axis of said rotarygrinder is substantially horizontal to a top of said animal's nail whensaid animal's nail is put through said opening, said rotary grinderbeing configured to grind at least a portion of said animal's nail at acontact location on said rotary grinder, said rotary grinder beingconfigured to rotate about said rotational axis in a direction such thatforces at said contact location pull said top of said animal's nail tosaid holding point where said animal's nail is substantially held inplace, said shroud being configured to contain at least a portion ofsaid animal's nail particles that are grinded away by said rotarygrinder.
 3. The rotary nail filing apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidopening has a generally triangular shape and said holding point is anapex of said triangle.
 8. The rotary nail filing apparatus of claim 1,in which the grinding surface of said rotary grinder comprises aplurality of different surface textures.
 10. The rotary nail filingapparatus of claim 1, wherein said contact location along saidrotational axis of said rotary grinder is configured to be adjustable.